h_lg_2017a_2017-04-12t13:31:58z0 Hearing Summary

Date: 04/12/2017

Location: HCR 0107

01:32 PM -- SB17-245



Representative Pabon, sponsor, explained SB17-245 regarding short-term leases. Under current law, a residential tenancy of one month or more but less than six months may be terminated by either party with seven days notice. This bill extends the notice to 21 days. The bill also requires 21 days notice for a landlord to increase rent in tenancies of one month or longer, but less than one year, and where there is no written agreement between the landlord and tenant.



Representative Pabon answered questions from the committee and discussed the lack of affordable housing in Colorado, particularly Denver. He stressed that low income renters need protection and a 21-day eviction notice, while still not a very long time, is a step in the right direction. He stated that Colorado is only one of three states that allow for such a short eviction notice in no-lease situations. Discussion ensued about penalties and the tenant/landlord relationship.



01:45 PM -- Jack Regenbogen, representing the Colorado Center on Law & Policy, testified in support of the bill. He answered questions from the committee and emphasized that the bill only applies in cases where there is no written lease. He stated that some people may live in the same place for years on a month-to-month lease basis, and tenants are increasingly receiving eviction notices as the rental market has heated up in Colorado. The bill would assist in ending homelessness from quick evictions. He distributed the following hand-outs: a letter of support from Four Star Realty and Property Management, Inc. (Attachment A); a letter of support from the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition (Attachment B); a statement of support from the Colorado Center on Law & Policy (Attachment C); and, a state-by-state comparison regarding required notice of rent increase (Attachment D).



17HouseLocal0412AttachA.pdf 17HouseLocal0412AttachB.pdf



17HouseLocal0412AttachC.pdf 17HouseLocal0412AttachD.pdf



02:02 PM -- Reg Gallegos, representing the Anti-Displacement Coalition, spoke in support of the measure. He answered questions from the committee and stressed that this bill impacts people who cannot pay the rent or can barely pay the rent. He discussed how disruptive an eviction can be, especially one with little turn-around time for a family.



02:11 PM -- Lydia Walagorski, representing the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence, spoke in support of the bill. She testified that domestic violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness in the state, and it helps for victims to have stable housing.



02:14 PM -- Aubrey Hazgold, representing the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, spoke in support of the bill. She said that a forced move has a domino effect.



02:18 PM -- Ed Shackleford, representing the Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill. He provided a senior perspective, and the physical problems associated with a forced move.



02:20 PM -- Jennifer Solms, representing the Denver Regional Council of Governments, spoke in support of the bill. She also provided a senior perspective and stated that many older adults are on a fixed income with limited flexibility.



02:25 PM -- Kathleen Flynn, representing the American Association of Retired Persons, testified in support of the bill. She answered questions from the committee and discussed the lack of housing inventory for seniors.



02:30 PM -- Representative Pabon made closing remarks.